Programme assists to “Cross Border Athletics”

On 9 July 2013 Grant Contract was countersigned by the JMA of the Programme and Ainars Mezulis, the Chairman of Smiltene Region Council (Latvia). Cross-border project “Cross Border Athletics”, with the Programme financial aid of 188 100 Euro, is going to contribute to the fulfillment of the Programme Priority 3 – Promotion of people to people cooperation, Measure 3.2 – Cooperation in spheres of culture, sport, education, social and health.

The project is going to build cross-border cooperation in sport between children and youth as its main target groups. It will increase the level of competence of athletes, coaches and sport-related people in track and field disciplines, by learning and using the experience of other countries, thereby improving the achievements of specific sport disciplines along with the promotion of sport and active lifestyle among children and young people. The project aims to launch a long-term cooperation between local sport schools in municipalities of Smiltene and Porhova, using experience and resources of both countries.

The overall objective of the project is to encourage children and young people in sport activities, particularly in athletics, using cross-border cooperation between Latvia and Russia as a healthy sport competition promoter, thereby contributing to the expansion of active life opportunities for the young generation.

Specific objectives:

- To contribute to the development of sport complexes in Smiltene and Porhov in order to provide lasting opportunities for children and young people in the field of athletics;

- To enhance the opportunities of children and young people to demonstrate their abilities in international athletic competitions in Russia and Latvia;

- To raise the competence of sport coaches and athletes through acquaintance with foreign expertise by inviting groups of foreign sport experts, thus giving home athletes and coaches opportunities to attend expert training and demonstrations at home sport grounds;

- To build and further develop international children and youth cooperation in one of the most popular sports in the world - athletics, getting at the same time acquainted with partner country’s sport and cultural traditions and bridging the language barrier effects.

Beneficiary

Smiltene Region Council (Latvia)

Partner

Porhov District Administration (Russia)

Total budget of the Project - 220 000 EUR